above: best thing, hang-out at the pool!

Well, the best thing to do for sure is hang-out at the pool and enjoy the day. But we all have such busy lives these days, I guess we feel that we need to do something each day. I suppose to relax too much can’t be a good thing either??

Prices seem to be way too high in South of France this year. Watch out as it seems that fewer tourists mean more effort to get more money from you.  Especially, watch the “farmer’s” markets, they  farming you mainly.  Good produce and local items at the Marche U.

Anyway, we had a great time down in St. Jeannet in mid-July and I wanted to share a few ideas on things to do–

For Kids:

• Marineland, see the whales and go to Aquasplash. You really need to go early.
• Beach at Eze is a nice locals beach, low-key and easy enough to park.
• Boat trip some options at Nice Harbour, Juan Les Pins, St. Laurent du Var port
• Poney rides up in the Col de Vence, there are two places as you wind up the road passed the Domain St. Martin. 2nd place has a longer trail and farm animals.
• Buy lots of craft stuff at Mr. Bricolage in Vence
• Hike the Baous–St. Jeannet or La Gaude from the village of St Jeannet. For the more adventurous you can also hire serious climbing guides from the pizza place in St. Jeannet

For Art Lovers

• Maeght Foundation is absolute must. Great Miro exhibit on now.
• Matisse Chapelle is absolute must.
• Chagall Museum in Nice is spectacular collection from this mighty creator.
• 2 Picasso museums one in Vallurius other in Antibe. Tiny Chapel with Paix and Guerre is incredible.
• Modern Art Museum in Nice, Leger (near Marineland)
• Avoid: Biot glass blowing tourist trap, main street in St. Paul art shops (they cater to cruise ships these days)

Others–

• Music Festivals at Juan Les Pin, Vence Nuit du Sud. Although it really seems that this year a lot of the normal music festivals are running shorter schedules.
• Visit the beach at St. Tropez
• Mountain Hiking at St Martin de Vesubie and the Alpha Wolves exhibit (kids)
• Good beaches: Nice, Juan Les Pin  Avoid: St. Laurent du Var water is not clean

Eating–

• We dont’ eat out too much these days, but when we do, in Vence Les Templiers. Chef is a genius.

I probably missed a whole bunch of other stuff…but that list will keep you busy.

It wasn’t that much of a battle really–they toss the flowers out at the crowd rather politely and usually with a big smile.

Of course, the giant smoke breathing dragon made a big impression on the kids. It made me think of a godzilla film as the mechanized beast motored passed the Negresco Hotel.

And what would a Carnival be without some feather boas? Nice was not about to let that ball drop at all–

and the previous week there were some amazing floats and tons of confetti and that gooey string stuff.

A bunch more photos here on my Flickr set: Flickr Longo Mai Set

More info on the official site here . We actually forked out €25 x2 to get Tribune seats, which actually was almost worth the hefty price as that side of the parade was a lot less crowded. It lasted about 90 minutes and the kids were very excited through it. I think it would be great to see the evening shows, but better for +7-aged kids at least.

A small chapel with a big impact created by Picasso in 1952 during his time in the South of France (1948-1955). It is more than 15 years after his Guernica painting that this La Guerre et La Paix Chapelle was opened in Vallauris Although it is a tiny place really, it overwhelms visitors with emotion and powerful images.

The warrior of peace is being attacked by the army of War on the left panel in the Chapelle. A powerful image of the fierce horses trampling burning books enflames the scene. While at the end of this panel a grotesque figure of War, collecting skulls and unleashing insects and viruses, pushes the action into battle.

The opposite panel gives some hope about justics and happiness using famillar symbols and family settings. In general this seems to be a hopeful Chapelle although set within the context of struggle and the darkness of war.

More info at the official site: http://www.musee-picasso-vallauris.fr/

There is also a museum here and there is also the Madura Gallery that continues to sell Picasso designed pieces in Vallauris as well as a Picasso Museum in Antibes. While this is not as well known as the Matisse Chapelle, it is definately worth experiencing.

We often try to take in so much of the area here every day, that we forget that just tossing stones at the beach is a nice enough way to spend a few hours. In the summer the public beach in Juan Les Pins is just heaving with people from all over the world. Today there were only a few people putting their foot in the water–including us. It was a good day for a stroll though on the boardwalk and down to the area where the summer Jazz Festival runs.

We then took a slow drive through Juan Les Pins and then out around the cape of Anitbes, passed the Hotel du Cap and the Napoleon Museum (not too much to see there). You can actually drive through the old village of Antibes if you stay on the coast road. We followed it all the way and beyond the Port of Antibes to the Fort Carre to take in the view of the snowy mountains floating majestically over the blue med. Not really good wind for sailing, but sure looks like a nice day on the water nonetheless.

Antibes is a great favorite for many sealovers, especially those from the UK, possibly because Graham Greene lived there for some years. Better known is that Picasso lived in Antibes briefly and left many pieces in what is now the Picasso Museum there (sorta random collection of stuff there see also the Picasso Guerre et Paix Chapelle).

Yeah, and of course Antibes is close to Marineland, so we caught the last Dolphin show on the way back–one good break is the season ticket at Marineland. Kids also love the Frontier Farm there which has benefited from some renovation work.

Cost is 8€ for an hour. It is colder up there, so bring hats, gloves and proper shoes. Adults will have the job of pulling the ponies along and keeping them on the path.

Finding it: Take the road passing Les Templiers Restaurant and toward the Chateau St. Martin. Continue to follow this road, D2, as it winds around the Col and then you will see a sign for the farm on our left near a sharp right turn. Follow the road down about 600m until you see the ponies. There is nothing at all up there, so bring provisions, suncream, water.

info / opening hours

This is an art museum made by people that love art for people that love art. It is the best small modern art museum in the world. Share the deep appreciation for artist that gave Aimé and Marguerite Maeght the vision to create this unique place. It is an absolute must visit spot.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

The setting is serene and inviting. The galleries have been designed to light the art using nature light that helps you see the art in the way that the creators saw it. The Foundation presents shows across the year and also has a fantastic collection of pieces from Chagall, Miro, Giacometti and Braque.